A McAlester resident has been spreading kindness, love and hope on social media platforms for the last few years. Barry “Bear” Mathews is known as @bearthevoice3 on TikTok, where he talks to his followers, or as he calls them his friends, for the last two and a half years, but has been present on the platform for three and a half years in total. Mathews journey into the world of social media started with a conversation and a misunderstanding as he was gathered around a swimming pool with his daughter. “She said, ‘Daddy, you need a TikTok.’ I said, ‘Baby, I got a watch.’ She was like, ‘What? No. It’s an app that goes on your phone.’ I said, ‘Sweetheart, I’ve got a clock app on my phone.’ I’m thinking ‘tic toc’ like a clock. I had never heard of the app,” Mathews said. After his daughter explained and showed Mathews the app, he questioned why he would even need TikTok. His voice was the answer. “She said ‘Daddy, you have the coolest voice on the planet, man. Your voice is just cool. People will watch your TikToks just to hear you talk,’” Mathews said. The now TikTok star was not initially game for making an account, but allowed his daughter to do so anyways, marking the birth of Bear the Voice. Mathews said his content was just like any other found on the app until he made a video talking about how proud he was of his son. “Somebody made a comment that said, ‘I wish I had a dad who would tell me he was proud of me,’” Mathews said. “So I did a video reply to that comment where I just looked at the camera and said ‘Well, I am proud of you. I’m very proud of you.’” The video went viral with many more content to follow suit, as he now has 1.32 million followers and 18.1 million likes. Mathews’ account is a combination of content ranging from life advice to cooking. Mathews said he didn’t have a clue his account would reach the success it has and still finds it mind blowing. “I think the reason my account has grown the way it has is because I’m not going to respond with hatred,” Mathews said. “I’m going to treat people the way that I want people to treat me, and I’m going to be tremendously honest and caring in doing so. I think that is something people look for. We live in a very superficial age, where it’s all about the trend and not about the compassion and honesty with one another.” The TikTok platform has been under fire for the last few years with the social media app having a potential of being banned in the U.S. in January 2025. Mathews has started to move his content to all social media platforms, like Instagram and YouTube, in case this takes place. Some upcoming projects Mathews has included hosting a Meet and Greet and Eat in June. Mathews said there is a community of cooking content creators, such as himself, who will be gathering June 14 at the Lightning C Arena. The event – a third of its kind – will feature foods made by potentially 100 content creators. As his popularity has grown, Mathews has continued to respond to comments from his friends with kindness and has even been given the moniker of “America’s Grandpa.” “I said in a video that I absolutely adore being a grandpa, and someone put a comment on it that said ‘You probably would not want to be a grandpa to a young Black woman.’ And I knew I had to make a video response to that...,” Mathews said. “I called her by name and told her I don’t care if you’re Black or white or red or green. I don’t care what color you are. Human need is human need, and it knows no race, so I would love for you to call me grandpa. Since then I’ve kind of turned into America’s grandpa.” A grandfatherly figure is something Mathews said he believes America needs right now, as a grandfather not only loves their grandkids regardless of anything but will also dole out advice and guide the person through life. Mathews said he doesn’t want to come across as a know-it-all, but that he does know what it’s like to deal with tragedies and how some just need to be told it will be OK. Mathews current job is social media due to his battle with Polycythemia vera – a chronic, rare blood cancer – which has progressed to cause Mathews to not have the ability to do everything he once could. Prior to the age of TikTok, Mathews drove trucks and worked in the oilfield, which is what brought him to McAlester in the first place. Since 2009 Mathews has made McAlester his home, where he tries to give back when he can. From making Angel Tree donations to helping pay for others at Walmart, Mathews has been living out his kind nature past the phone screen and into the real world of McAlester for years. One example is when Mathews recognized the look of panic on a father’s face after his card declined at a register. As the father tried to pull up his online bank account and find out why his deposit wasn’t showing up, Mathews heard the man’s son ask what was happening. Mathews then told the child the card must be broken and paid for the groceries. “I think that’s not an act of charity it’s an act of kindness that if you can afford to do that that is what you should do,” Mathews said. “We all got to eat, and if I have the money in my account, I’m not going to let you or your little boy go hungry.” Mathews said he helps out when he can because he knows what it is like to need someone. From falling on financial hard times to a flooded house to a house fire, Mathews said he knows what it feels like to not have anything with no one to turn to. “A lot of people who I have talked to personally [will say] ‘God has allowed so many tragedies.’ But I don’t believe a person can truly find humility without having been humiliated and I have been,” Mathews said. “So rather than allow that to make me bitter I’ve tried to let it make me grow into a better person. It’s so easy to be bitter, but it’s also easy to be better.” Becoming TikTok famous has been what Mathews referred to as cool with fans coming up to him in stores and telling Mathews how he has impacted them or even saved their life. Mathews said learning how he has made such an impact on people has been a humbling experience. Mathews said he has not always been this way, but after the death of a child, step sister, and both parents he knows what it is like to lose someone. “That’s a feeling that so many people feel, like they’ve lost everything and they feel like their world is hopeless, and if I can give them a little bit of hope, maybe one day God will smile at me face to face,” Mathews said. Something that Mathews ends each video with is a saying he takes to heart and means to every friend who hears it – “I love all of you. I truly do.” “I think love is something that is a rarity in all societies, not just ours, but all societies these days,” Mathews said. “We don’t have to see eye to eye politically or spiritually. I don’t care – like I said to that young lady – I don’t care what color you are. I don’t care if you’re heterosexual or homosexual. I don’t care if you were born Beverly and you want to be called Billy. I don’t care. Love and compassion is what this world needs the most of, so I love all of you. I truly do.” Skyler Hammons writes for the McAlester News-Capital.Aston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.
Aston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.
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Oklahoma State (4-1) will play in the fifth-place game on Sunday, while Miami (3-2) will try to avoid going winless in the tournament. Oklahoma State led 43-27 at halftime after making 8 of 15 from 3-point range, while Miami was just 8 of 27 overall. Four different Cowboys made a 3-pointer in the first half, with Brandon Newman making three. Thompson banked in a shot early in the second half to give Oklahoma State a 20-point lead at 49-29. Miami, which opened the game by missing 7 of 8 shots, went 1 for 8 from the field to begin the second half. Miami trailed by double figures the entire second half until Matthew Cleveland made a difficult shot in the lane while being fouled. He made the free throw to pull the Hurricanes within 75-67 with 49 seconds left. Arturo Dean restored a double-digit lead by making two free throws at 43.8. Thompson reached the 1,000 career points with the Cowboys on a shot in the lane with 13:01 left in the second half to give Oklahoma State a 55-38 lead. Nijel Pack scored 20 points and Brandon Johnson had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Cleveland finished with 11 points, and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet each had 10. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo speaks during an event in Seoul, Dec. 16. Yonhap Korea is expected to extend its on-year export gains to 15 consecutive months in December despite external challenges, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said Friday. Cheong made the remark during a meeting with government officials, noting the country is also set to post a trade surplus for 19 straight months, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "Ahead of the launch of the new United States administration, uncertainties at home and abroad concerning exports are escalating, especially in the wake of domestic political turmoil," Cheong said. "The government will maintain close communication with the private sector to minimize negative fallout while pursuing new opportunities, extending its efforts to provide full-fledged support to the economy and businesses," Cheong added. The ministry, meanwhile, said Korea's exports to seven out of nine major trade partners expanded on-year over the January-November period. Outbound shipments to China, the top trade partner, rose 6.4 percent over the period, driven by demand for chips, information technology products and petrochemical goods. Exports to the U.S. also jumped 11 percent, supported by strong performances in automobiles, machinery and chips, the ministry added. Over the first 20 days of December, Korea's exports increased 6.8 percent from the previous year due to growing demand for semiconductors, separate government data showed earlier this month. Korea is set to announce its full monthly trade report Wednesday. (Yonhap) To remove this article -